Free school meals

You're eligible for free school meals if you receive any of the following benefits:

• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (if you do not get Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
• Working Tax Credit run-on. Paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit

If your child is eligible for free school meals in primary school, they’ll stay eligible until they finish primary school on 31 March 2026.

If your child is eligible for free school meals in secondary school, they’ll stay eligible until they finish secondary school on 31 March 2026.

All children in Reception, Year 1 to Year 2 are eligible for Universal Infant Free School Meals. We recommend that you still complete the application form below to register. If you do not complete a free meal application form you will have to pay for meals from Year 3.

Eligibility changes from September 2026

Under changes introduced by the Government, all children from households receiving Universal Credit who attend maintained schools, academies, free schools, and eligible nursery settings will now be entitled to receive free school meals. 

Previously, eligibility was restricted to households receiving Universal Credit with annual earnings below £7,400. 

The change means thousands more children nationally will become eligible for free school meals for the first time, helping to reduce costs for families while ensuring more children can access a healthy meal during the school day.